Motorists across England and Wales have just hours left to have their say on major changes to driving laws proposed by the Government.
The Department for Transport's consultation on motoring penalties closes today (May 11) at midnight, marking the end of a four-month review into some of the country's most serious road offences.
The Road Safety Strategy, which is the first major review of traffic laws in more than a decade, aim to improve travel conditions and ensure punishments properly reflect dangerous driving behaviour.
The consultation included proposals on drink and drug-driving, seatbelt offences, uninsured drivers, fake number plates, and travelling in unsafe vehicles.
Drink and drug-driving
One of the biggest changes under consideration is lowering the drink-drive limit in England and Wales to match Scotland's stricter rules.
Scotland currently allows 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, compared with 80mg in England and Wales.
The Government is also considering whether new drivers should face even tougher alcohol limits during their first years on the road.
Currently, drivers can face three months' imprisonment, up to £2,500 fine, as well as a possible driving ban if caught breaking the drink-driving limit.
Suspected drink or drug drivers could also have their licences suspended before appearing in court, while police could be given powers to seize vehicles from motorists arrested on suspicion of drink or drug driving.
Commenting on alcohol limits for younger motorists, Bryn Brooker, head of road safety at Nextbase, said: "Younger drivers need clear boundaries to protect themselves and their fellow passengers."
The Road Safety Strategy was unveiled earlier this year by the Government
|GETTY/PA
Seatbelt offences
Another proposal would make not wearing a seatbelt an endorsable offence, including the imposition of three penalty points, rather than a £100 fine.
Alternative plans could see fines increase to £500 if prosecuted, in addition to the licence points in certain cases.
Auto Express Consumer Reporter Tom Jervis backed the review, stating that while later than originally expected, "it is nevertheless a welcome one and paves the way for much safer roads here in the UK."
MOT and road failures
Labour is also looking at vehicle safety and roadworthiness, with drivers caught travelling without a valid MOT set to face tougher punishments.
Under current rules, driving without a valid MOT can result in fines of up to £1,000, or £2,500 if the vehicle is deemed "dangerous".
Invalid car insurance
Drivers who get behind the wheel without insurance could see tougher penalties introduced this year, as part of the new road safety measures.
At present, motorists caught driving uninsured are usually offered a £300 fixed penalty fine and six penalty points if they accept the notice.
The Government will look at increasing fixed penalty fines, potentially doubling them, so that the punishment significantly exceeds the cost of insurance. Officials are also considering higher penalty points for uninsured drivers.
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The Road Safety Strategy will look at introducing tougher penalties for ghost number plate users | PAIllegal number plates
The Road Safety Strategy looked to crack down on the number of illegal and "ghost" number plates which have been sweeping across the UK.
As part of the proposals, it would grant the DVLA new powers to seize vehicles suspected of using false number plates to avoid paying road tax and traffic penalties.
Mr Jervis also welcomed tougher action on uninsured drivers and so-called ghost number plates, saying the problems had been allowed to grow for too long.
Drink-driving cases have soared across the UK, prompting more support for tougher rules and lower limits | GETTYTransport Minister Lilian Greenwood said the consultation was designed to ensure laws reflect public attitudes towards dangerous driving, calling it a "common goal".
The consultation first opened on January 7 and contains 41 questions covering a wide range of driving offences and penalties.
The Government said the proposals follow high road deaths in Britain, with 2024 reports finding 1,602 people died on UK roads, around 30 every week, while another 27,865 suffered serious injuries.
"This is your opportunity to ensure that the law adequately reflects what the vast majority of the British public feel, that unsafe and dangerous behaviour has no place on our roads and should be dealt with appropriately," Ms Greenwood added.